Premium
Real world utilization of EGFR TKIs and prognostic factors for survival in NSCLC during 2010–2016 in Sweden: A nationwide observational study
Author(s) -
Bergqvist Michael,
Christensen Helene N.,
Wiklund Fredrik,
Bergström Stefan
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
international journal of cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.475
H-Index - 234
eISSN - 1097-0215
pISSN - 0020-7136
DOI - 10.1002/ijc.32596
Subject(s) - medicine , proportional hazards model , lung cancer , stage (stratigraphy) , oncology , observational study , adenocarcinoma , epidermal growth factor receptor , cancer , paleontology , biology
The purpose of our study was to investigate time trends in treatment pattern and prognostic factors for overall survival (OS) in epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) targeting tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) treated nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients. Utilizing Swedish nationwide registers, we identified all Stage IIIB–IV NSCLC patients treated with EGFR TKIs and followed them from diagnosis (2010–2015) until death or end of observation (2016). Multivariable Cox regression analyses were performed to test associations of patient‐, tumor‐related factors with OS. Of 9,992 Stage IIIB–IV NSCLC patients, the 1,419 (14%) who initiated EGFR TKI treatment during observation were younger (median age 68 vs . 71 years), less ≥1 comorbidities (34% vs . 46%), more often female (59% vs . 47%), Stage IV (89% vs . 85%) and adenocarcinoma (85% vs . 66%) compared to non‐TKI treated patients. After TKI initiation, 7% ( n = 100) of the patients switched, 4% ( n = 62) rechallenged a TKI treatment, 65% ( n = 919) discontinued and 24% ( n = 338) had died. A more recent diagnosis demonstrated shorter time to EGFR TKI initiation, prolonged treatment length and longer median OS (15.3 months 2010–2011; 14.4 months 2012–2013; 18.6 months 2014–2015). Prognostic factors for longer OS when treated with EGFR TKIs were younger age, adenocarcinoma, less advanced clinical stage and less comorbid disease. In conclusion, during the observation period, survival improved for EGFR TKI treated NSCLC patients, as did the accessibility for targeted therapies for these patients.